ACA Grace Period For Late Payments Could Pose Problem For Doctors, Hospitals

A safeguard designed to protect people who buy health insurance through the new federal marketplace has hospitals, doctors and other healthcare providers concerned that they might not be paid for some services under the Affordable Care Act.

People who don’t pay their monthly insurance premiums will have a 90-day grace period before their coverage is dropped. Federal regulations require insurers to pay claims for the first 30 days after payments lapse. After that, they will be able to deny pending claims, leaving hospitals to foot the bill. In New Jersey, health insurance is generally in force for a 31-day grace period.